Holy Friendships: Nurturing Relationships That Sustain Pastors and Leaders

by Victoria Atkinson White, L. Gregory Jones (Foreword)

Pastors and Christian institutional leaders serve more creatively, effectively, and joyfully when they feel supported and part of an intimate community of colleagues and friends who care about their personal and professional wellbeing. So attests Victoria Atkinson White in Holy Nurturing Relationships That Sustain Pastors and Leaders.



And yet, she observes, many leaders sacrifice critical relationships, citing lack of time or competing priorities, and end up isolated, lonely, and burned out. Social media compounds this problem by distorting the meaning of "friend" and reducing it to a relationship in search of clicks, likes, and emoji-ed responses.



While we might have lots of "friends," holy friendships are mutual and sacred relationships deeply rooted in God's love. What Christian leaders need is a circle of holy friends to walk alongside them in the challenging and constantly changing work of ministry.



White gives readers permission to invest in their own resilience, sustainability, and flourishing by cultivating and nurturing their own holy friendships. By recounting the stories of meaningful holy friendships and revealing the benefits of challenging conversations over time, she offers hope, grace, and humor. She also provides examples of how holy friendships can change institutions and systems, helping pastoral leaders cultivate beloved community.

199 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 14, 2023

Reviews

[Hannah Ostlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 a must read for pastors, lay leaders, and really all Christians!

[Donna Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Hit Me Hard.

I am somewhat of an introvert and have never really had a true friendship let alone a Holy Friendship. Do to negative life experiences I am hesitant to be that intimate with anyone but my wife. This book has challenged me to acquire such a friendship and will find a home on my ookshelf after I read through it one more time.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m glad I read this book. It is wise in considering the value, the real value in life and faith, that friendship brings. Throughout the sharing of her story and other’s stories, we get a glimpse of the things that friendship causes us to reflect on, that reminds us how life giving and meaningful it is. It invites us to pause and understand how deeply rich this experience in our lives is

[Kate Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

White is such a lovely person and skilled relationship-builder, and her warmth and intellect both shine through her writing.